Jane Puchniak, Pipe & Hat Music Group’s director of marketing, communications and digital assets, will represent Canada at the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) music trade mission November 7-10. (HANDOUT)

Winnipeg’s music scene will have a voice at the upcoming Canadian Independent Music Association music trade mission in New York City.

Jane Puchniak from local music firm Pipe & Hat Music Group will represent the CIMA November 7-10.

“I’m eager to learn from my colleagues around the world about placemaking best practices to best engage businesses, residents, and community to imagine what is possible, and to learn more about the various public-private partnerships that can be built to stimulate development plans and mixed-income housing and neighbourhoods,” Syvixay said.

“I’m also excited to share with the other fellows all of the exciting initiatives and programs that are making Winnipeg a world-class destination and urban lab.”

Singer-songwriter Ali Fontaine has been nominated for three Native American Music Awards (SCOTT BENESIINAABANDAN / HANDOUT)

Three Aboriginal musical acts from Manitoba have been nominated for six Native American Music Awards (NAMA) this year.

Ali Fontaine has been nominated in the best country recording category for her self-titled album, along with C-Weed for Forever. Fontaine has also picked up nominations for songwriter of the year and best female artist. Indian City has been nominated for best pop recording of the year and record of the year for Supernation.

The awards, which were originally postponed by Superstorm Sandy, will be handed out during the 14th annual awards gala on May 10 at the Seneca Niagara Events Centre in Niagara Falls, New York.

A Winnipeg urban design firm could soon be turning heads in New York with their unique work.

Nadi Urban Design Studio has proposed to float 99 giant red balloons above a former Manhattan landfill site. The art installation would generate clean energy while reminding people that something beautiful and productive can come out of garbage.

Each balloon floating above the 2,200-acre landfill would be lined with hi-tech solar panels and would collectively produce enough renewable energy to power 4,500 homes a year. The balloons plan to be flown 100-feet above the ground and are 50-feet tall by 40-feet wide.

“Every major city has a former landfill site that can be a great public park and can capture clean energy — even the Brady Road Landfill or Kilcona Park,” said Nadi principal and founder Emeka Nnadi.

The University of Manitoba landscape architecture graduate returned to Winnipeg a few years ago after moving to Chicago to pursue his career. Upon returning to the city, he worked for Smith Carter Architects and Engineers before opening his own design firm.

“I’m proud to be a small part of Winnipeg’s positive evolution, and delighted to participate in the global challenge to make sustainability beautiful and even sometimes playful.”

Winnipeg’s New Flyer Industries has been awarded a contract to build 90 heavy-duty 60-foot Xcelsior clean diesel buses for the New York City Transit Authority and the MTA Bus Company.

Production will begin immediately and be carried out of New Flyer’s St. Cloud, Minnesota facility.

In the last two years, New Flyer has delivered 385 low-floor 40-foot CNG buses and recently built 90 40-foot Xcelsior clean diesel buses — both fleets currently operating in New York. In July 2012, NYCT assigned a contract they held with Daimler Buses North America, Inc. to New Flyer to build an additional 74 40-foot CNG buses.